Automatic electronic communication system for tracking firearms

ABSTRACT

This invention provides a system, method and algorithm for automatic electronic communication between a firearm formed with a location tracking system and a signal emitting arrangement. A data processing system is provided at a restricted firearm-free-zone established around key public sites (schools, mass gathering places etc.). The safety and security system for tracking firearms of the invention is arranged, so that upon approaching the restricted firearm-free-zone an unauthorized firearm activates a security protocol, so as to trigger an automatic alarm, dispatch of police and EMS etc.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to safety and security systems in general, andmore specifically it relates to a security system for tracking firearmsand detecting whether unauthorized firearms are brought to a restrictedarea.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many states, the carrying of firearms is restricted in certainfacilities, such as schools, bars, airports and the like. However, thereare rarely any systems available for detecting whether someone isbringing unauthorized firearm into a restricted area. Thus, it has beenlong felt and unsolved need to provide a safety and security system fortracking/detecting firearms illegally brought into restricted publicareas. There is a need for the security system to be used to preventpenetration of unauthorized firearms into restricted firearm-free-zonesestablished around key public sites to ensure maximum public safety, butwithout impeding on fundamental gun user's rights.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An essential purpose of this invention is to secure public safety bytracking firearms and to prevent penetration of unauthorized firearmsinto restricted firearm-free zones, which are established around keypublic sites, such as for example schools, theatres, mass gatheringplaces etc. A safety and security system for tracking firearms of theinvention is arranged, so that upon approaching such restricted zones anunauthorized firearm activates a security protocol causing at least oneof security measures, including but not limited to: trigger an alarm,dispatch of police, EMS, perhaps other first responders. The restrictedfirearm-free-zones can be formed and defined by Global PositioningSystem (G.P.S.), or can be defined through the use of cellular towers orany other similar arrangement.

On the other hand, according to the safety and security system anauthorized firearm carried by a professional security personal orpolicemen generates differently coded wireless signal. Thus, a securityoperator is able to immediately distinguish the presence of anauthorized weapon from an unauthorized one, and to prevent unnecessaryactivation of the security protocol measures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a safety and security systemfor tracking firearms of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a firearm with a tracking device; and

FIG. 3 shows an algorithm/operational flow chart of the communicationsystem for tracking firearms of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, which is a schematic diagram showing arestricted firearm-free-zone 10 of the invention established around akey public site 12, such as a school for example. It will be discussedbelow that a central location of electronic communication processingcenter 14 including a receiving antenna and computer server is providedto form a part of the firearm-free-zone processing system. In theillustrated embodiment the Global Positioning System (GPS) 60 isutilized in the formation of the restricted zone and is used in theoperation of safety and security system of the invention for trackingunauthorized firearms. GPS is a space-based satellite navigation systemthat provides location and time information to a firearm equipped withthe GPS receiver, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to GPSsatellites. GPS is maintained by the United States government. Inaddition to GPS, other navigation systems can be used to track theunauthorized firearms in the safety and security system of invention.Among such alternate navigation systems usable by the invention is TheRussian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS).

A typical firearm handgun/pistol 20 having at least a barrel 22 and ahandle 24 adapted for use in the safety and security system of theinvention, is illustrated in FIG. 2. Although a handgun/pistol 20 isillustrated in FIG. 2, however, it should be understood that thefollowing description of the safety system of the present invention isequally applicable to any type of firearm, including rifles, etc.

The safety and security system includes a firearm tracking device 30disposed within the firearm 20. The firearm tracking device 30 consistsof a GPS signal receiving arrangement 32 with a receiving antenna 34.Additionally a firearm tracking device 30 includes an internalpositioning unit 35 formed with an internal motion-sensing arrangement33 which can be in the form of accelerometers, gyroscopes or any othermotion-sensing device. The internal positioning unit 35 is capable oftracking position of a firearm relative to a known starting point basedon data received from the respective motion-sensing arrangement. Amicroprocessor 36 processes the information data from the GPS signalreceiving arrangement 32 and the internal positioning unit 35, so as toprovide controlling functions. A wireless signal emitting arrangement 38with an emitting antenna 39 are provided to communicate the firearmlocation data to the firearm-free zone computer server 42. Althoughlocation of various element of the tracking device within the firearmmay vary, in the preferred embodiment the receiving antenna 34 of theGPS signal receiving arrangement and the emitting antenna 39 aredisposed along the barrel 22. On the other hand, the GPS receivingarrangement 32, the internal positioning unit 35, the microprocessor 36,the wireless signal emitting arrangement 38 and a power supply unit 37,such as battery are disposed within the handle 24 of the firearm. Thereceiving antenna 34 and the emitting antenna 39, preferably extendalong the whole length of the barrel 22 preventing blocking or tamperingsuch antennas to avoid tracking the firearm.

The tracking device 30 is securely positioned within a firearm andcannot be removed without causing substantial damage. The system cangenerate a “tampered with” signal if a non-authorized attempt to removethe antennas 34, 39 or other parts of the tracking device should occur.As to another aspect of the invention, the firearm locks itself if thetracking device 30 is removed or does not work.

In GPS satellites continually transmit radio messages that include: thetime when the message is transmitted and, satellite position at time ofmessage transmission. The GPS signal receiving arrangement 32 by meansof the receiving antenna 34 is able to receive geographic positionsatellite coordinate signals and time and calculates the firearmlocation coordinates by precisely timing the signals sent by GPSsatellites.

The GPS satellites signal can be received and successfully processedwhen the receiving antenna 34 is situated within an unobstructed line ofsight to multiple GPS satellites. However, the system of the inventionis also capable of performing its task when a firearm is situated out ofsite of GPS satellites. In such situations the internal positioning unit35 is able to track the position of a firearm relative to a knownstarting point which will be the last GPS data location of the firearm.Such data from the respective internal motion-sensing arrangement 33 isprocessed by the microprocessor 36 to calculate the position of afirearm relative to a known starting point which may be a previousfirearm location point calculated based on the signal received from theGPS. An internal positioning unit 35 together with microprocessor 36allows to track the position of a firearm in between the data pointsobtained thorough the GPS.

In one embodiment the internal motion-sensing arrangement 33 of theinternal positioning unit 35 can be used to activate the firearmtracking device 30. In a standard mode of this embodiment, when thefirearm not in use or stored, to minimize use of battery power, thefirearm tracking device 30 and the signal emitting arrangement 38 arenot activated and signals are not emitted. However, when themotion-sensing arrangement 33 indicates the firearm movement, thefirearm tracking device 30 is activated.

The data from the motion-sensing arrangement 33 may also be used tomonitor the speed of firearm movement. Thus, to better track the firearmmovement, when the firearm is on the move the system will emit signalswith shorter intervals.

As to another aspect of the invention, to assure uncompromised powersupply 37 to the GPS tracking device 30 and to the wireless signalemitting arrangement 38, if a battery (including a rechargeable battery)associated with the tracking device is depleted, a firearm automaticallylocks itself and cannot be fired.

By means of the signal emitting arrangement 38 and the emitting antenna39, the operational data from the microprocessor 36 is wirelesslytransmitted. Such data can be detected by a receiving antenna of theserver 42 forming a part of the firearm-free zone processing system 40.The data can be also detected by multiple cellular tower receivers 50 ofthe common wireless communications carriers. It should be also notedthat the signal emitting arrangement 38 can be preprogrammed to changeall major characteristics of the signal randomly to prevent jamming.Also in one embodiment wireless signal emitting arrangement 38 can becalibrated to emit predetermined level of signals. In this manner, thesignals can be used by the firearm-free-zone processing system 40 signalreceiver to measure distance to the fire arm based on the intensity ofthe signal coming from the fire arm.

Signals from signal emitting arrangement 38 received by the cellulartowers 50 are then retransmitted to the server 42 forming a part of thefirearm-free-zone processing system 40.

The server 42 including a plurality of screens and electronic maps isprovided at the public place location forming a part of a specificfirearm-free-zone processing system 40. Accordingly, the server 42 isable to acquire and process knowledge of the operational circumstancesof the firearm 20 approaching the restricted firearm-free-zone. On theother hand, a centralized server provided for multiplefirearm-free-zones can be also utilized.

When the firearm with the tracking device 30 is brought in to apredetermined distance from the restricted firearm-free-zone 10, thesignal will appear on the screen or the electronic map of the server 42.This serves as an indication that an unauthorized firearm approaches therestricted firearm-free-zone 10 or otherwise protected area. Optionally,sound or light alarm can be generated upon the unauthorized firearmapproaching the restricted area. As a further option, the signalactivates a security protocol, and is transmitted to the nearest lawenforcement facility and/or a hospital. Further more, some other devicesor systems within the public space facility can be activated likeautomatic door locks.

In a portable version of the invention, where smartphones are utilizedas a part of the firearm-free-zone security/processing system, datatracking software for smartphones with GPS capability is used.

A GPS tracking device 30 uses the GPS to determine the precise locationof the firearm approaching the restricted firearm-free-zone and tocommunicate the position of the approaching firearm at regularintervals. By means of the wireless signal emitting arrangement 38, thefirearm location data is transmitted to the central location data baseor a server 42 forming a part of the firearm-free-zone processing system40. This allows the approaching firearm's location to be displayed atthe central location data base or a server 42 against a map backdrop inreal time using GPS tracking software.

On the other hand, an authorized firearm carried by a professionalsecurity personal or policemen will generate differently coded wirelesssignal. So such signal will appear on the screen or the electronic mapof the server 42 in a different color. In this manner, a securityoperator looking at the screen will be able to immediately distinguishthe presence of an authorized weapon from a non-authorized one, and toprevent unnecessary activation of the security protocol.

A retrofitable embodiment can be also provided, so that the trackingdevice 30 can be installed in already existing firearms for a taxcredit.

The firearm tracking device 30 together with firearm-free-zoneprocessing system 40 and corresponding means of communication are ableto support a variety of data processing algorithms to be employed andsuited to specific needs and criteria of a particular type offirearm-free-zone.

Referring now to FIG. 3 depicting an operational flow chart or anoperational algorithm according to one embodiment of the invention. Whenin use, the system of the invention implements the following steps:

Initially the internal positioning unit 35 and the motion-sensingarrangement 33 determine whether the firearm has moved or it isstationary. If the firearm has moved, the firearm tracking device 30 isactivated.

When GPS satellite signal can be received and processed, geographicinformation, including time and position of the firearm is transmittedto the receiving arrangement 32 for further processing.

When the firearm is situated out of site of GPS satellite and the GPSsatellite signal cannot be received, the internal positioning unit 35 isable to track position of the firearm relative to a known startingpoint. Such data from the internal motion-sensing arrangement 33 isprocessed by the microprocessor 36 to calculate the position of afirearm relative to such known starting point.

Based on the above information the firearm location is calculated. Bymeans of the signal emitting arrangement 38, the operational data iswirelessly transmitted and detected by the receiving antenna of theserver 42 forming a part of the firearm-free-zone processing system 40.

Optionally, the data can be detected by multiple cellular towerreceivers 50 of the wireless communication carriers.

Upon processing the received data, the server 42, upon detecting anunauthorized firearm approaching the restricted zone, activates thesecurity protocol. On the other hand, when authorized firearm isdetected, no security protocol is activated.

The operational flow chart or operational algorithm discussed withrespect to FIG. 3 represents one example of possible flow charts oralgorithms. It is understood that there are a wide variety of possiblealgorithms can be provided to reflect operation of the security systemof the invention.

Thus, the present invention provides the safety and security system tosecure public safety by tracking firearms and to prevent penetration ofunauthorized firearms into restricted firearm-free-zones. In the systemtracking firearms of the invention is arranged through the use of thewireless tracking device, so that upon approaching the restricted zoneby an unauthorized firearm a security protocol is activated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A public safety and security system for trackingfirearms to prevent penetration of unauthorized firearms into arestricted firearm-free-zone, said system comprising: a firearm havingat least a barrel and a handle; a firearm tracking device, disposedwithin said firearm and including: a positioning system signal receivingarrangement associated with a signal receiving antenna and adapted toreceive a signal from a positioning system; a wireless signal emittingarrangement associated with a signal emitting antenna; an internalpositioning unit formed with an internal motion-sensing arrangement; anda microprocessor, functionally associated with said positioning systemsignal receiving arrangement, said wireless signal emitting arrangement,and said internal positioning unit, wherein said signal receivingantenna and said signal emitting antenna are disposed within the firearmseparated from each other and extending along said barrel, wherein saidinternal positioning unit indicates movement of said firearm to saidmicroprocessor, to activate the signal receiving arrangement, andwherein, in response to said internal positioning unit indicating saidmovement of said firearm, said wireless signal emitting arrangementwirelessly transmits position data for said firearm to a server forminga part of a processing system of said firearm-free-zone.
 2. The systemof claim 1, wherein upon said positioning system signal receivingarrangement receiving a position of said firearm at a specific time,said microprocessor generates firearm operational data and transmitssaid operational data to the server using the wireless signal emittingarrangement.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the microprocessorcalculates a position of the firearm relative to the restrictedfirearm-free-zone by timing the signals received from the positioningsystem signal receiving arrangement.
 4. The system of claim 1, whereinupon receipt by said server of position data indicating thatunauthorized said firearm is approaching the restrictedfirearm-free-zone, said server activates a security protocol.
 5. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the signal receiving arrangement, themicroprocessor and the wireless signal emitting arrangement are disposedwithin the handle of the firearm.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein thesignal receiving antenna and the signal emitting antenna extend alongthe entire length of the barrel.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein thepositioning system is Global Positioning System (GPS).
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the positioning system is Russian Global NavigationSatellite System (GLONASS).
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein theposition data transmitted by the wireless signal emitting arrangementappears on a screen or an electronic map of the server in a coloredlight to facilitate recognition of presence of an unauthorized saidfirearm in the firearm-free-zone.
 10. The system of claim 1, whereinwhen an authorized firearm approaches the restricted firearm-free-zonethe signal generated by said wireless signal emitting arrangement isdifferent from a signal generated when an unauthorized firearmapproaches the restricted firearm-free-zone.
 11. The system of claim 1,wherein the wireless signal emitting arrangement is configured togenerate a wireless signal of variable frequency.
 12. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said internal positioning unit tracks a position ofsaid firearm relative to a known starting point based on data receivedfrom said motion-sensing arrangement of said firearm.
 13. The system ofclaim 12, wherein the motion-sensing arrangement comprises at least oneof an accelerometer and a gyroscope.
 14. The system of claim 12, whereinsaid known starting point comprises a last location identified by GPSdata.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein said wireless signal emittingarrangement is calibrated to emit a signals having a predeterminedintensity level, so that an intensity of said signals received by asignal receiver associated with said server are used to measure adistance of the firearm from the firearm-free-zone.
 16. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the data from the motion-sensing arrangement is used tomonitor a speed movement of said firearm, so that when the firearm hasmoved, the signal emitting arrangement emits signals at shorterintervals.
 17. The system of claim 1, wherein said microprocessorgenerates a tamper-indicating signal in response to an unauthorizedattempt to remove at least a portion of said firearm tracking device.18. The system of claim 1, wherein said microprocessor locks saidfirearm in response to at least one of an unauthorized attempt to removeat least a portion of said firearm tracking device, a malfunction ofsaid firearm tracking device, or a power failure of a power sourceproviding power to said firearm tracking device.
 19. A method oftracking firearms by an automatic electronic communications systemdisposed within the firearms, the system includes a signal receivingarrangement with a receiving antenna, an internal positioning unitformed with an internal motion-sensing arrangement, a microprocessor andwireless signal emitting arrangement with an emitting antenna, saidmethod comprising the steps of: determining whether a firearm is movingor stationary by utilizing the internal positioning unit and themotion-sensing arrangement; activating said signal receiving arrangementin response to detection of movement of the firearm; when said signalreceiving arrangement is in view of at least one satellite, receiving,via said signal receiving arrangement, and processing, in saidmicroprocessor, at least one signal from said at least one satellite, toobtain geographic information including a position of the firearm at agiven time point; when said signal receiving arrangement is out ofsatellite sight, using the internal positioning unit, tracking theposition of the firearm relative to a previously identified location,and processing data obtained from the internal motion-sensingarrangement by the microprocessor to calculate the position of thefirearm relative to said previously identified location; using saidsignal emitting arrangement, transmitting the position of said firearmto a receiving antenna associated with a server forming part of thefirearm-free-zone processing system; and activating a security protocolupon said firearm-free-zone processing system detecting that anunauthorized said firearm is approaching the restricted zone.
 20. Apublic safety and security system for tracking firearms to preventpenetration of unauthorized firearms into a restrictedfirearm-free-zone, said system comprising: a firearm having at least abarrel and a handle; a firearm tracking device, disposed within saidfirearm and including: a positioning system signal receiving arrangementassociated with a signal receiving antenna and adapted to receive asignal from a positioning system; a wireless signal emitting arrangementassociated with a signal emitting antenna; an internal positioning unitformed with an internal motion-sensing arrangement; and amicroprocessor, functionally associated with said positioning systemsignal receiving arrangement, said wireless signal emitting arrangement,and said internal positioning unit, wherein said signal receivingantenna and said signal emitting antenna are disposed within the firearmseparated from each other and extending along said barrel, wherein saidinternal positioning unit indicates movement of said firearm to saidmicroprocessor, to activate the signal receiving arrangement, wherein,in response to said internal positioning unit indicating said movementof said firearm, said wireless signal emitting arrangement wirelesslytransmits position data for said firearm to a server forming a part of aprocessing system of said firearm-free-zone, and wherein the positiondata transmitted by the wireless signal emitting arrangement appears ona screen or an electronic map of said server in a colored light tofacilitate recognition of presence of an unauthorized said firearm inthe firearm-free-zone.